In 1999, Philippine band X2C released its debut album,
X2C. X2C's music is marked by a tuneful approach, featuring pleasant melodies and vocals. The prominent use of textured rhythm guitar adds a distinctive touch. "Baby, How Much I Need You" is representative of the band's sound, containing a nice melody line on the opening verses and an even more melodic chorus. The song also contains searing electric guitar fills. Another outstanding song, "Di Bale" (trans: Never Mind), features an endearing guitar line (which approximates a steel pedal or slide guitar), and also contains a memorable chorus. Not all songs attain the same level of quality as "Baby, How Much I Need You" or "Di Bale," but the same level of passion is certainly evident on each song. A somewhat pedestrian song as "Ayoko Nang Mag-isa" (trans: I Don't Want to Be Alone), for example, is made to sound better than it should by the band's sincerity and passion. "Thinking of You" contains soulful harmonica, reminding one of harmonica player
Lee Oskar and his work for soul/funk band War; "Wala Nang Iba" (trans: Nobody Else) has an attractive, chimes-like figure played on keyboard synthesizer. The singing is dominated by male vocalists Arjhune Paelmo and Engle Alcala; female singer Rowena Lozano is also credited with lead vocals, but her voice is nowhere to be found up front and is part of the backing harmonies. While
X2C isn't completely realized, the band shows much promise.